New Experiences Await Wyoming Visitors

CHEYENNE, Wyoming – From exciting outdoor adventures and new museums to additional lodging options for every season, Wyoming visitors will have plenty of new ways to experience the state in 2015. The latest travel updates will have visitors enjoying new views from every corner of the state while learning the true meaning of ‘Forever West.’

Following are some of the new experiences awaiting Wyoming visitors. Check WyomingTourism.org today for great Wyoming travel ideas, discounts, festivals and events.

Western Arts and History

The Brinton Museum, Sheridan

The Brinton Museum will open a new state-of-the-art facility this summer in Sheridan. This 23,030-square-foot facility will feature four distinct galleries featuring works by Gregory Packard, a well-known American landscape painter and former Sheridan resident and Native American art highlighted by the Gallatin Collection of Crow Indian Art.

The Museum of the Mountain Man National Geographic Photo Exhibit, Pinedale

The Museum of the Mountain Man will feature a new photography exhibit called “Pronghorn Passage” May 1 through October 1. This renowned photographic story depicts the perilous path of the Teton Herd pronghorn antelope, one of the last remaining land animal migrations in the western hemisphere. The exhibition includes dramatic images by National Geographic photographer, Joe Riis.

Adventure Trek, Wind River Country

Walk in the footsteps of the fabled men and women who played a large role in America’s history on the Adventure Trek in Wind River Country. The Fremont County Pioneer Museum (FCPM), the Dubois Museum-Wind River Historical Center and the Riverton Museum have come together and are offering an Adventure Trek series that focuses on stories and characters unique to their individual areas of Wyoming’s Wind River Country. Guided by local experts and trained historians, visitors will experience Western history first-hand.

National Museum of Wildlife Art Zodiac Head World Tour, Jackson

The National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson will feature internationally acclaimed Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei’s Zodiac Head World Tour May 9 through October 12. Weiwei has reinterpreted the 12 bronze animal heads representing the traditional Chinese zodiac that once adorned the famed fountain-clock of the Yuanming Yuan, an imperial retreat in Beijing. The tour comes to Wyoming after exhibitions in Mexico City, Chicago, London and Toronto.

A Warm Cowboy Welcome

Deerwood Ranch and Double D Ranch Wild Horse EcoSanctuarys

Two ranches in the state have received certification to become one of the very few Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Certified Wild Horse EcoSanctuarys in the country. The Deerwood Ranch in Laramie and Double D Ranch in Lander now offer unforgettable tours and amazing up-close views of wild horses.

The Deerwood Ranch is a privately owned ranch with a herd of 300 Wyoming-born gelding horses on its property. Tours are offered year-round, including exclusive photography tours. The Double D Ranch, located within the Wind River Indian Reservation boundaries, will hold up to 100 horses, with the first mustangs arriving this spring. The mustang ecosanctuary will interpret Native American culture and the historic role of the horse.

New Fork Crossing Historical Park, Pinedale

Step back in time and experience the newly opened New Fork Crossing Historical Park outside Pinedale. Visitors can take in the unchanged natural setting where thousands of emigrants crossed the New Fork River and camped in the late 1800s. Named as one of Pinedale’s ‘106 Success Stories,’ the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) this year.

Curt Gowdy State Park Visitor’s Center, Cheyenne

The Curt Gowdy State Park Visitor’s Center is open and features an interpretive center with exhibits about the state park, including the history of Curt Gowdy. The two-level, state-of-the-art building includes multi-purpose meeting rooms and shower facilities.

Rock Springs Community Visitor Complex, Rock Springs

In early fall, the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce will break ground on a new Community Visitor Complex featuring upgrades to the surrounding park. Construction is expected to be completed in 2016.

A Place to Stay in New Hotels

Canyon Lodge & Cabins, Yellowstone

The first phase of the redevelopment of Canyon Lodge & Cabins in Yellowstone National Park will be completed when three new lodge buildings open in August. As part of its concessions contract with the National Park Service (NPS), lodge operator Xanterra Parks & Resorts will open five lodge buildings that will provide 400 guest rooms and replace outdated cabins. As the largest accommodation complex in the park, the project is scheduled to be completed by 2016 when the NPS celebrates its 100th anniversary. The total cost of the project is estimated around $70 million.

Historic Sheridan Inn, Sheridan

The Historic Sheridan Inn, established in 1893, will re-open its doors this spring after undergoing a major renovation. The hotel, once the old stomping grounds of Buffalo Bill and his legendary Wild West Show, closed its doors to overnight guests to upgrade the rooms and restaurant to their former glory. The Open Range Bar and Grill opened in January featuring American cuisine with specialty items including buffalo nachos, chicken fried chicken and baked skillet brownies.

Grab a Bite

J’s Taco Bistro, Cheyenne

Restaurant owners Jerry and Sandy Inniss added Mexican food to their roster with the opening of J’s Taco Bistro in early 2015. Located at 112 E. 17th Street, the restaurant features a unique twist on Mexican fare, including tacos, chimichangas, burritos, rellenos and enchiladas.

The Tortilla Factory, Cheyenne

The Tortilla Factory has moved into a new building in south Cheyenne. Located at 715 S. Greeley Highway, the restaurant is known for its homemade tortillas and tamales.

Piste Mountain Bistro, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will celebrate its 50th anniversary during the 2015-2016 season and is celebrating with two new projects. Piste Mountain Bistro will open in December at the top of Bridger Gondola and will offer a casual yet sophisticated dining option year-round. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort will also open the Teton Lift, a high-speed quad lift that will carry riders 1,600 vertical feet to an area previously only accessed via hiking.

Can’t Miss Events

80th Annual Green River Rendezvous, Pinedale

The 80th annual Green River Rendezvous will take place July 9-12 in Pinedale celebrating the long history of rendezvous taking place in this area. Over the four-day festival, the streets will be filled with live music, food and entertainment to celebrate the mountain men, legendary explorers and Native Americans who opened commerce in the American West. From nightly rodeos to the Green River Rendezvous Pageant, there will be numerous cultural activities for visitors to enjoy.

Outdoor Expo, Lander

The first Outdoor Expo will be held on June 26-28 in Lander including the latest gear and outdoor trends at the consumer show. Visitors will have a variety of activities to choose from including an outdoor skills clinic and local field trips such as road mountain biking.

Catch the Night Shift Tour, South Pass City

‘Catch the Night Shift’ is a lantern tour of the historic Carissa Mill and Gold Mine, located in South Pass City. Held on June 20 and August 18, visitors will enjoy a guided tour and Scotch tasting while learning about South Pass City’s rich history. The Carissa Mine operated on and off for nearly 100 years and was the economic heart beat for the community.

Cowboy Tough Adventure Race, Buffalo to Casper

The Cameco Cowboy Tough Adventure Race, presented by REV3 Adventure, will host athletes July 16-19 from across the country for a race that will challenge individual’s and teams’ physical and mention endurance. Athletes will embark on a 300-500 mile adventure race from Buffalo to Casper including disciplines such as trekking, mountain biking, road biking, flatwater paddling, Class III water navigation, ropes and team challenges.

Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne

Since 1897, Cheyenne has celebrated its Old West roots with Cheyenne Frontier Days. The centerpiece of this Western celebration is the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, which draws top professionals from across the country. This year’s festival will be held July 17-26 featuring a variety of events such as daily rodeo activities; concerts from national recording artists including Aerosmith, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, among others; a chuck wagon cook-off, an art show and parades. View the official CFD video here.

4th Annual Longmire Days, Buffalo

Local author Craig Johnson’s inspiration for the fictional town of Durant on A&E’s, Longmire, has fans of the show flocking to the town of Buffalo. The 4th Annual Longmire Days will be held this summer with several of the show’s actors expected to attend. Netflix recently announced they will pick up the show for a fourth season starting filming in July.

Depot Days: Cheyenne Train Weekend, Cheyenne

The annual Depot Days takes place May 15-17, and celebrates trains, both real and model, with exhibits, vendors and entertainment. The event has three locations including Historic Cheyenne Depot, the UP Steam Shop and the Frontier Park Exhibit Hall. Visitors will enjoy model train displays, railroad art, free entertainment and see the restoration on Big Boy 4014.

Gold Bust Festival, Atlantic City

With a population of 37, the residents of Atlantic City will celebrate their ‘boom-bust’ heritage with the annual Gold Bust Festival on August 15. The historic gold rush town has kept its rustic flavor and welcomes visitors for this off-the-beaten-path event, featuring gold panning, arts and crafts and demonstrations such as water-cage, square-foot gardening and foot-powered wood lathe.

About the Wyoming Office of Tourism

The State of Wyoming, also known as the Equality State, was admitted to the union on July 10, 1890 as the 44th U.S. state. Wyoming is the 9th largest state in terms of area yet has just over 500,000 residents, contributing to its ranking as the nation’s 4th most livable state. The state is home to the country’s first national park – Yellowstone – and the first national monument – Devils Tower. These sites, Grand Teton National Park and countless other glorious statewide attractions – supported by heartfelt cowboy hospitality – serve as host to millions of visitors every year. For more information visit: wyomingtourism.org, facebook.com/visitwyoming or twitter.com/wyomingtourism.